| The GC | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality Television Documentary |
| Created by | Bailey Mackey |
| Starring |
|
| Narrated by |
|
| Opening theme | "Vibrations" by Jade Louise featuring Savage[1] |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| Original languages | English, Maori |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Bailey Mackey |
| Production locations | Gold Coast, Australia |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes (including commercials) |
| Production company | Eyeworks Touchdown |
| Original release | |
| Network | TV3 (2012–14) Four (2015) |
| Release | 2 May 2012 – 29 July 2015 |
The GC is a New Zealand reality television series that premiered on TV3 on 2 May 2012 in New Zealand. The series follows the lives of a group of Māori living in Gold Coast, Queensland.
The series has been compared to the American reality show The Hills.[2]
The show was originally pitched as an observational documentary series called Golden Mozzies, described as "looking at seven Māori families living on Australia's Gold Coast". In August 2011, the producers of Golden Mozzies received $419,408 from broadcast funding agency NZ On Air for the production of eight 30 minute episodes. However, the format and title of the series was changed with NZ On Air's knowledge.[3]
In 2013, a second season of The GC was funded by Maori broadcast funding agency Te Māngai Pāho with stricter requirements for Maori language and cultural content. $419,384 was granted for eight 30 minute episodes.[4]
In 2015, it was announced via the shows Facebook page that the show was renewed for a third season, along with new cast members and the show being moved to Four.
The third season premiered in July 2015.[5]
The show revolves around Tylah Jones Wharehinga, Rosanna Arkle, Zane Houia, Elyse Minhinnick, Braydon McMahon, Holly Subritzky, Cole Smith, Alby Waititi, Nuz Ngatai, Matai Smith, and Matatia Brell. Former cast members include Tame Noema, Jade Louise, Jessie Nugent, Nathan Waikato, Brooke James, and Jade Ruwhiu.
| Name | Seasons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Elyse Minhinnick (DJ Tuini) | Main | |||
| Rosanna "Rosie" Arckle | Main | |||
| Zane Houia | Main | |||
| Alby Waititi | Main | |||
| Jade Louise Harawira | Main | Recurring | ||
| Tame Noema | Main | |||
| Nathan Waikato | Main | |||
| Brooke James | Main | |||
| Jade Ruwhiu | Main | |||
| Jessie Nugent | Main | Guest | ||
| Cole Smith | Recurring | Main | ||
| Ngahere "Nuz" Ngatai | Recurring | Main | ||
| Matai Smith | Guest | Main | ||
| Holly Subritzky | Main | |||
| Matatia | Main | |||
| Braydon | Main | |||
| Tylah | Main | |||
| Layla Subritzky | Recurring | |||
Following the screening of the pilot episode viewers branded the show as "fake" and "pathetic" and within hours a Facebook page called "Cancel the GC TV Show" was started.[6] According to a New Zealand Herald article the Facebook page had over 2100 "likes" within 12 hours of the show's airing.
There have also been questions about the show's funding. Following the screening of the pilot episode it was revealed that NZ on Air gave NZ$419,408 to fund the first series of The GC. According to news website Scoop Independent News, NZ on Air thought they were funding a series about seven Māori families living on the Gold Coast of Australia with the working title Golden Mozzies.[7] The same website published a press release from NZ on Air in August 2011 outlining that NZ on Air had approved funding for Golden Mozzies, which was then labeled as a documentary series.[8]
| No. | Title | Ratings | Time-shifted ratings | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Episode 1" | 370,660 | 17,490 | 2 May 2012 | |
| Tame throws a housewarming party with his flatmates Jade and Zane, their girlfriends Jessi and Rose, and friends Nate, Nuz, Alby, DJ Tuini and Jade Louise. | |||||
| 02 | "Episode 2" | 289,480 | 24,030 | 9 May 2012 | |
| Tame faces the morning after the party; Jessi attends her first glamour model shoot; Alby reveals a shocking revelation. | |||||
| 03 | "Episode 3" | 297,920 | 7110 | 16 May 2012 | |
| Tame confesses all; Jade Louise considers her singing career; the whare boys look are more investment opportunities; Rosie take Alby to a photo shoot; and the boys check out Cole's new gym. | |||||
| 04 | "Episode 4" | 245,620 | — | 23 May 2012 | |
| Nate auditions; Cole's father helps out with the gym; Tame and Jade Louise are pushed to take things further; Jade Louise has a confession for Tame. | |||||
| 05 | "Episode 5" | 294,670 | 9810 | 30 May 2012 | |
| The girls crash the boys night out; Cole's gym opening is close; Jade Louise and Nuz put on a show; Rosie is jealous of Zane; DJ Tuini discovers a family secret. | |||||
| 06 | "Episode 6" | 254,970 | 21,940 | 6 June 2012 | |
| DJ Tuini considers a return to New Zealand, Zane tries to make peace with Rosie, Jessi is jealous of Jade; Cole wants to get back in the ring. | |||||
| 07 | "Episode 7" | 325,860 | 20,480 | 13 June 2012 | |
| DJ Tuini returns to her marae; Cole's gym opening is running behind schedule; the boys make it to haka practise; Jade and Jessi's have relationship troubles. | |||||
| 08 | "Episode 8" | 318,860 | 20,960 | 20 June 2012 | |
| Cole's whanau arrive from New Zealand; Jade Louise records her first single; Nate takes driving lessons; Tame has a surprise. | |||||